Method of controlling floating logs and the like



Jan. 1,1929. 1,697,774

T. H. M LAFFERTY METHOD OF CONTROLLING FLOATING LOGS AND THE LIKE Filed March 5, 1927 ZZZMZZdf/WZ] alike (M47144,

have been more favorable.

Patented Jan. 1, 1929.

aar arts.

' TAYLOR H. MACLAFFERTY, OF TENINO, WASHINGTON.. I

METHOD OF CONTROLLING FLOATING LOGS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed March 5, 192?. Serial No. 173,127.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for controlling floating logs and the like and it is intended primarily for use in shifting logs to a rafting ground where they can be properly graded and sorted. Heretofore, under adverse wind or tide conditions it has not been possible to sort and grade the logs but, on the contrary, it has been necessary to discontinue such work until conditions This obviously has resulted frequently in a considerable increase in the cost of handling the logs due to the loss of time and labor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a means whereby a current of Water in the desired direction can be set up so that, in spite of adverse winds or tides, the logs can be caused to move in the desired directions and the sorting and grading can be proceeded with.

With the foregoing and other objectsin view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in certain steps of the method hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For the purpose of illustrating the method and the apparatus used in connection therewith, the accompanying drawing has been provided, this drawing showing, in diagram, a body of water having means associated therewith whereby logs can be dumped thereinto, floated in a desired direction, and graded and sorted.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference A designates a body of water in which is erected a trestle B carrying a railway track G along which cars, loaded with logs, can be drawn and the logs thereafter dumped into the body of water adjacent the trestle. A rafting ground D can be built at any suitable point within the bodyof water by driving piles arranged in rows, these piles cooperating to form separate passages E. In the structure illustrated spaced rows of piles indicated at F and G are disposed beyond one end of the passages E and cooperate with the trestle B to hold the deposited logs within certain limits.

For the purpose of controlling the move ment of the logs after they have been de-v posited in the body of water, a float in the form of a raft, scow or the like and which has been indicated at H is anchored atany suitthe arrow a and it is desired to sort or grade the logs at the rafting ground, the float H is positioned as illustrated so that, when the propeller L is driven at a high speed, a current will be set up in a direction opposite to that in which the wind or tide or both are travelling. Consequently when logs are de livered from the trestle into the body of water they will not be carried in the direction indicated by the arrow at but will, on the con-' trary, be moved in the opposite direction because of the current set up by the propeller L. Thus the logs will drift between the rows of piles indicated at F and Gr and can be directed into the proper passages E so as to be properly sorted or graded. Should the direction of the tide or wind change, the position of the float can be changed so as to counteract the force thereof and cause the logs to move in the proper direction. Obviously various means can be employed for setting up the current. For example instead of utilizing a propeller, a paddle wheel could be used.

While the apparatus is designed primarily for use in connection with a rafting ground such as illustrated at D, the same can be used wherever it is desired to change the direction of the current to cause logs or other floating objects to travel in a desired direction. It can also be used for keeping clean the bed of a log pond which, after considerable use, acquires an accumulation of refuse in the form of dirt, chips and the like which ordinarily must be dredged or cleaned out in-some other way from time to time. By the use of this means for producing a forced current in a desired direction, the refuse will be caused to flow away so that the pond will not bedling logs or other buoyant objects which consists in depositing them in an open body of water, and then creating a current by mechanical means to cause the floating objects .to travel in a desired direction against wind resistance.

2. The herein described method of handling logs and other floating objects which consists in depositing the objects in an open body of water, positioning a water propelling.

means in the body of water at an angle to set up a current which will convey the floating objects in a desireddirection and then actuating said water propelling means to produce the desired current, and convey the floating objects in a selected direction against natural air currents.

3. The herein described method of sorting or grading logs which consists in erecting a rafting ground in an open body of water, arranging a water propelling means for horizontal angular adjustment in the body of Water, actuating said means to set up a current of water in any desired direction relative to the rafting ground, and depositing logs in said current to be conveyed thereby in a predetermined direction against natural air currents.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

TAYLOR H. MAOLAFFERTY. 

